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Petition Letter: Emilio Frometa Academic Appeal
I am currently in my 5th year of a BAH in Developmental Studies. In addition to my academic commitments, I have been a member of the Queen¿¿s Varsity football team for the duration of my time at Queen¿¿s. Entering my fourth, and what I had thought to be my final year of my undergrad, I suffered a severe injury during the first game of the 2015-2016 football season. In the first quarter of the season opener game vs. the Carleton Ravens, a player was whipped into me from behind, resulting in a broken fibula and multiple torn ligaments. This injury not only ended my season, but also had an extreme impact on my academics. I was strictly non-weight bearing and this resulted in limited mobility to get to class and to do everyday tasks. In addition to this, I was on pain medication for the majority of first semester for my broken leg and found it extremely difficult to focus on assignments from home. After finding out in February that the first surgery did not work, I required a second surgery. This surgery came right before final assignments were due in the winter semester.
Coming from a single mother home, this injury added increased stress to my life, not only physically and emotionally, but academically and financially. Being unable to work throughout the entirety of the 2015-2016 school year created unplanned financial stress. Fortunately, my summer employer was very understanding, and allowed me to work even though I was extremely physically limited for the majority of my summer employment because I was still non-weight bearing.
My season ending injury ultimately put me in a cast for 9 months last year. My leg injury altered my ability to not only function as a student-athlete but also as an independent young man. Attending class, focusing on work, interacting with friends and family, preparing food, basic hygiene, mobility, mental health and fitness were all things in my life that were greatly affected by my circumstances last year. The unexpected second surgery happened right before my final assignments were due in both my two fourth year seminar classes, and my research methods course. The second surgery was more invasive and included the addition of much heavier hardware into my leg, in addition to a bone graft. During my recovery over the summer, on top of work, I was working on completing my outstanding assignments. My summer consisted of a vigorous rehab schedule, full time summer employment, and working on my outstanding assignments. The surgeon was optimistic that I would be able to possibly make it back in time for the season, despite doubt from my coaches and therapy staff. However, I was determined to make it back to earn my athletic scholarship because I would not be able to afford tuition otherwise.
I was able to complete my research methods assignment which was over 30 pages in length. The assignment proved to much more than expected, but professor Jeffremovas was very understanding and helpful. The remainder of my free time not spent at work or doing rehab I worked on completing my seminar class final assignments. I was able to get out of my cast and slowly begin to bear full weight on my leg a with only a month and a half of summer left (prior to training camp in mid-august) and I was able to finally begin to run with three weeks remaining in the summer. When the season began, I was focused on making it back into the lineup, and in my exhaustion, I was unable to complete my remaining outstanding work for my two seminar classes. I was unaware of any restrictions regarding my extensions, as it was not brought to my attention prior to my second surgery. All of my professors were extremely understanding of my circumstances and told me that I could take as much time as needed to complete them. The whirlwind of a summer was met with a return to the busy life of a student athlete at Queens. My inability to take any summer courses over the summer due to my circumstances placed heavy merit on my fifth and final year. I was able to play this year, starting every game except for the first game of the year, where I was not physically ready to play. Being able to play this season was a huge accomplishment for me, not only restoring allot of my faith in myself, but it also was a huge moment in my life, being able to overcome the unexpected turmoil of the past year.
With plans of pursuing graduate studies at Queens next year, I enrolled in an employment relations certificate program in addition to my DEVS BAH degree. Along with attempting to complete my final courses of my undergraduate degree, the additional courses of the certificate which I am condensing into one year, regaining my starting role on the team (as well as being featured as one of the captains), and working on the executive for the Autism Awareness Partnership Program, I continued to chip away at my Seminar assignments. I have since completed two of the three outstanding courses requirements and am in the process of completing my final seminar requirements.
I have reached out to professors regarding the assignments and asked for assistance when necessary in completing the assignments throughout the duration of the summer and fall semester. Assistance from the professors, athletic academic councilors Alex Dominato, and Sara Ali, and Peers, have helped me get back on track while working on my assignments from the Winter semester of 2016. Elisha Corbett, Current MA student at Western University also helped me by planning out a schedule for my assignments, as well as provided me with academic guidance regarding how to approach my outstanding work. If you require any further information regarding my situation I have provided a list of people below who can attest to the process, my situation, and my continued perseverance through the course of this past year to get back to health, and to an improved academic situation. I also have had an account with student accessibility services if that is required as a reference for last year as well.
Alex Dominato, Coordinator, Athlete Services, Queen¿¿s University: 613-533-6000 ext. 78457
-Assisted with personal and academic guidance
Sara Ali, Coordinator, Athlete Services, Queen¿¿s University: 613-533-6000 ext. 79192
-assisted with personal and academic guidance
Colin Mcauslan, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Queen¿¿s University :519-551-8968
-Responsible for overseeing entire rehab training over the course of both surgeries
Dr. Steve Mann, Orthopedic Surgeon KGH: 613.549.6666 ext. 3670
David McDonald, Professor, Queens University: dm23@queensu.ca
-Devs 492- Urbanization Seminar
Marc Epprect, Professor, Queens University: epprecht@queensu.ca
-Devs 492 -Degrowth in Africa Seminar
Villia Jeffremovas, Professor Queens University: vj3@queensu.ca
-Devs 300 ¿¿ Research Methods
Pat Sheahan, Head Coach, Football Queen¿¿s University: 613-533-6000 ext. 36287
Bridget Dooley-Tremblay : 614-217-1069
-Mother of Michael, Autistic young man who I have worked with over the past 2 years
Kathy Hoover, Geography and Urban planning, Queen¿¿s: 613-533-6000 ext. 77214
-Summer Employer